Freshman anchorman Andrews taking U.Va. track program to higher level

Track and field

May 02, 2010|By By Dave Fairbank | | 247-4637

Stay healthy. Don't flunk out. Those were the goals that freshman Robby Andrews set for himself when he arrived at the University of Virginia last fall.

A national championship and the anchor leg on the school's first Penn Relays Championship of America title in 67 years, not to mention a solid academic showing thus far, are so far beyond his expectations that he can barely contain himself.

"It's been so great," Andrews said last week. "I've been so blessed, to have such a great team, a great coach, and it's been a lot of fun. I really couldn't be happier."

Easy to see why. He was unbeaten during the indoor season, which was crowned by his win over University of Oregon All-American and U.S. Olympian Andy Wheating at 800 meters at the NCAA championships.

Andrews essentially duplicated the feat last weekend, outkicking Wheating again in the final meters on the anchor leg of the 4x800 relay at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia.

Asked if he were surprised by Andrews' accomplishments thus far, Virginia track and field director Jason Vigilante said, "I try not to limit or peg people to a certain vision. Every challenge that he's had, he's been able to meet. I'm pretty conservative-natured — try not to over-race him or overuse him.

"I would say that it's a pleasant surprise, but I never ruled it out as a possibility, even from the first day."

Indeed, as remarkable as Andrews' year has been, it's not as if he were anonymous. The 19-year-old native of Englishtown, N.J., was a top-shelf recruit, the first high schooler to break 1 minute, 50 seconds at 800 meters (1:49.21), and the indoor and outdoor national prep champ at that distance as a senior.

"As a freshman, we knew we had something special," said Jim Tweed, his high school coach at Manalapan. "Even as a freshman, he was in front of all the workouts. He's a very coachable, very intelligent runner. He's a student of running. I equate him a little bit to a football coach who studies film of opponents."

Andrews' signature trait is a finishing kick, which he exhibited in both of his marquee races this year.

"He's never out of a race," Tweed said.

Andrews was tickled simply to make the 800 final at the NCAA indoor meet, but Vigilante convinced him that he could win the event. If he remained close to Wheating and Penn State All-American Ryan Foster, he could use his kick and the element of surprise to jump them late in the race.

The strategy worked to perfection, with Andrews passing Foster and then outkicking Wheating in the final meters to win by one one-hundredth of a second — 1:48.39 to 1:48.40.

"I really couldn't believe it," Andrews said. "To race your idol, to stand on the podium next to your idol, to pass him in the last 50 meters when he's done that to so many other runners and win the race, it's just surreal."

At the Penn Relays, he and teammates Alex Bowman, Lance Roller and Steve Finley defeated Oregon and Penn State teams chock full of All-Americans. After Foster and Wheating passed Andrews midway through the anchor leg, Andrews again made up several strides in the final 80 meters and pulled away.

"I just stayed as composed as I could and stayed as patient as I could," Andrews said. "I just caught 'em by surprise, caught 'em with some good legs in the last 100 or so meters. It was just unbelievable. It's a great feeling."

Andrews' Penn Relays performance was all the sweeter because of his family history. He is a third-generation competitor whose father, Bob, was a former half-miler at Penn and who competed in the masters division the day before his son's historic race.

"I would trade all my other races, before this, just to have one Penn Relays (title)," Andrews said. "It means that much to me. And especially over such a great field, with Oregon … and Penn State.

"I've seen so many amazing performances at this meet through the years, whether it's college or pro. To be a part of one of those amazing performances is really special."

Andrews speaks in enthusiastic bursts, like a kid who received more for Christmas than he ever dreamed and can't wait to tell everyone.

"He's a real study," Vigilante said. "On one hand, he's got this outwardly fearless attitude when it comes to believing in himself. And on the other hand, he's very, very humble and appreciative and grateful for his opportunities. So depending on what side people see, that's what they draw from him. But when you get to know him, he's a really neat figure."

Andrews rapidly has become a centerpiece of Vigilante's efforts to build the Cavs' track program into a regional and national contender. The New Jersey native is in his second year in Charlottesville after a stellar nine-year stint as cross country and assistant track coach at Texas, where he coached 17 Big 12 Conference champs and dozens of All-Americans.

Andrews' national title and the Penn Relays performance are beginning to open doors in terms of recruiting and competition.